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Christmas is approaching and so is almost the 19 game mark, things have been quite interesting in the beginning half of the season with teams like Hull and Fulham have been killing off some of their giant competitors leaving a very uncertain view of the top four and how things will shape up in the new year.
Liverpool started off with some brilliant results but with some very poor performances but they got the results that they needed and that’s why they are top. Having wins against Man City away and Chelsea away are all great but then drawing to Hull, Fulham and West Ham all at home is shocking, two of them being goalless, sure Hull are playing well but if Steven Gerrard wants to live up to his wishes pre-season of actually challenging for the title the whole season and not just playing for 3rd or 4th, they really had to get at least 7 out of 9 points in those games, had they had done, they would have been 5 points ahead of Chelsea which would definitely have boosted their chances.
Chelsea showed great promise thrashing teams near the beginning and with their prolific striker Nicholas Anelka, actually I say prolific but I am only really quoting what the press say, I think personally Anelka is the most boring goal scorer in the Premiership, that’s harsh I know but he doesn’t do anything, he doesn’t threaten defenders, he doesn’t link up well he doesn’t know how to pass, he just finishes all the things left on a plate. Its not a bad thing I guess but Chelsea want to live to a standard of attractive football and Anelka is not it, ok sure people will criticize me in saying this but just wait when he goes through a period of not scoring goals he will as useless as the referee, or even worse, Kalou.
Now Drogba, there’s a striker who knows how to make an impact, he terrorises defenders and scores some wonderfully team and individually crafted goals, that’s a striker to be proud of (apart from his attitude). Chelsea did look really good but a string of poor home form has left in doubt whether they really have that edge to win convincingly this season, I do believe they will be up there at the end, but it will be very close with them and Manchester United
Speaking of Man Utd, who out of the top four have had the hardest first half of the season, playing 9 away games against the 9 teams that were in the top 10 last season, and they have managed to come out of this quite well being 3rd in the Premiership only 6 points behind Liverpool with a game to spare, they did lose two really important games against Liverpool and Arsenal, but they have done the business against the rest, the 2nd half will be easier for Man Utd and if Berbatov can kick his old goal scoring form into gear, Man Utd are sure to be strong favourites.
Arsenal on the other hand are not, they have struggled this year and its hard to explain why, the only thing that really makes sense about Arsenal is that they don’t have Flamini, or a replacement of him that is experienced enough to hold that mid-field strong, Denilson is absolutely rubbish, this player doesn’t know how to pass the ball, stay on his feet, or score! I think even Eboue is better than him, and Song, who has started playing in that position recently, is just not good enough. Why Arsene Wenger insists on playing Bendtner I don’t know, especially when you have Carlos Vela rotting away on the bench. I really think Wenger has been very stubborn this season and it does seem he is trying to make a point, his first point being not to fall for the presses pressure, the press said he needs experience, pundits said if he has money to spend, then spend it, he went against this, they also said buy experience, he ignored this and went young again, this has cost them dearly, and they just can’t win games with conviction anymore, just like Arsenal used to.
Middle table looks exciting as ever too, Aston Villa are playing some attractive football and so are Everton, Man City have disappointed defensively but attacking football has been immense for them, almost to the standard of the top four, if they spend in January and with over half a trillion funding them I’m sure they will, you can be sure they will be a menace in the 2nd half, and especially next year.
So in the end, I do predict Manchester United will be crowned once again, but if Chelsea can get their home act together it will be a very close race to the finish. Liverpool, no chance, thats harsh I guess, they do have a chance but I really think its more luck than talent that will take the crown. Arsenal, I don’t like to say but this season they need to pit their hopes on the Champions League, because the premiership is going to need a miracle. I do believe the top four will remain the same as last season.
Please leave your thoughts and predictions.
This team had a great manager in Sven-Goran Eriksson who led them to their best season in about 5 years by finishing 9th and doing the double on Manchester United. The Chairman and the Chairman knows only why Sven was sacked. City now begin a new era under Mark Hughes who is another great manager. Lets hope his reign lasts more than a year.
Strengths:
- Micah Richards: A superb right back that would be first choice in any team in the Premiership.
- Mark Hughes: A good manager with great tactical knowledge. He still has some things to learn and experience to gain but has the potential to be truely great.
Weakness:
- The Chairman: He may not be a weakness at the start, but if things don’t go the way that he wants to, Hughes may be on his way out of the club too.
Our Predictions:
J-Lee: It’s really tough to decide the mid-table clashes and which team come out on top of the others. Manchester City are real contenders for 5th place but other clubs such as Spurs and Everton will be too strong.
The Doc: Hughes will be a great inspiration to the team, last session they had been missing a striker, Jo should be an interesting addition. However as J-lee mentioned they are not as strong as Spurs, Everton or even Villa. I reckon they will finish 8th.
Ash-sta: For a mid division team they certainly have the best squad, I think their battle with the likes of Villa and Spurs can be won simply because they have a huge squad of players, but in recent days speculation suggests players will be forced to leave because of the clubs financial situation, Thankskin is a complete idiot, one minute he wants to sign Ronaldinho and give him £200k a week and the next minute he is kicking players out the door. I think City fans prefered it in the old days. If players stay then they will do well, if the likes of Ireland and Petrov leave then good luck to top 10 finish.
Transfers:
- They’ve already bought in some good players which will strengthen the squad.
